By Sola Lebile
Last Saturday in Akure, there was a tantalizing party hosted to mark Comrade Oyekan Arije’s 80 towering and fruitful years on this planet earth. The journey of eighty years is not a short one; more so when the life expectancy in the country hovers around 54.
Relations, friends, family and well-wishers felicitated exuberantly with the man, who has created (and continues to create) rare legacies of patriotism, forthrightness, integrity, activism , selfless service and heroism.
Over the years, there have been mountainous exhibits validating the uncommon attributes of this veteran labour leader.
He was among the few workers who witnessed the growth of Ondo State Civil Service from its cradle; that was when the Service was transported from Ibadan, then Headquarters of the old Western Region (following the creation of the State in 1976, and even to maturity.
Soon, the mantle of leadership fell on young Arije in 1977, as he became the Chairman of Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and continued in that position even after the union metamorphosed into the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
His leadership radically and consistently pushed to the front burners the concerns and welfare of Nigerian workers, particularly on their improved condition of service.
It is recorded that labour union under him was devoid of internal rancor, compromise, and ‘egunje’ collections; as he threw his entire being into the struggle for better package for workers, and equally advocated for good governance even when the danger was obvious.
Unlike today, when many of our so called union leaders are seen betraying the legitimate cause of their fellow members simply because of a morsel of bread. Not in his era of labour movement.
The story has it that he rejected bluntly a brand new car offered him by the powers that be to kill his spirit of fighting for workers. The labour union under him was a dependable allied force of pro-democracy groups that fought the military back into the barracks.
It was a miracle that he could tackle government from the days of the military regime of Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, to those of the civilian administration of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, without being brutally crushed.
Later, activist Arije forayed into partisan politics, and plunged himself into the murky waters of Nigerian politics. He contested for the Ondo State governorship seat on the platform of the pro-masses National Conscience Party (NCP), which was led by foremost activist and legal icon, Chief Gani Fawahinmi.
The party paraded sound, solid and clear agenda on how it would wrestle Nigeria from the yoke of poverty and deprivation; and the people from the grip of scavenging political leaders.
Strangely, the people had a different agenda. Nigerians refused to queue up behind Gani Fawehinmi and his band of activists who contested for positions across the country. The signal was not favourable.
Unperturbed, Arije traversed (during the electioneering) the nooks and crannies of the state, canvassing for votes especially from the downtrodden. The election held. Arije, like Gani who contested for president, got miserable votes from the electorate. Sad! He then threw the Governorship ambition into the lagoon.
Meanwhile, he was retired from the service prematurely in 2003. But he took that with stride, no ill-feelings.
Though retired, he was not tired as he got appointments from one government to the other, given his integrity, assiduity and managerial acumen. For instance, he was a Commissioner in the Ondo State Civil Service Commission and a Senior Special Adviser to the Governor (Ondo South) at the Project, Price and Monitoring Unit Office in the Olusegun Mimiko administration.
On the home front, he has been there. He was the Secretary and later the Chairman of Egbe Omo Ilaje for many years.
I have overheard some people saying that he is too strict; too rigid; the man is prudent; tough; he is ‘strong head’ (stubborn) and all the jazz. Yes. Arije would rather be strict for the principle and just cause he believes in; and when he suffers for such principle (cause), he has no regret. For one, he will never keep silent in the face of injustice or suppression. He remains an excellent negotiator and a peace maker.
He is a constructive critic. He has not been found engaging in ‘bad belle’ criticisms, for he engages in constructive ones; and would talk sense into your head if the need arises. But he would not leave you without offering solution to the challenge at hand. He stands by the truth and speaks the truth, not minding whose ox is gored.
Here is an example: a prominent traditional ruler had been poaching on a portion of land out of his territorial power, against which the Oba of the domain had kicked against, thus locking horns with the trespassing king. It was visible to all that the fight was fast tearing the two kingdoms apart; and if not quelled, it might crumble the two kingdoms.
At this point, a meeting was facilitated by him among others to mediate on the issue and resolve it. I remember it was Arije who first confronted the trespassing Oba with facts and exposed the greed, selfishness and sheer oppressive tendencies of His Majesty.
He had bravely asserted: “The King of this kingdom from time immemorial had been a honorable one, never exhibiting this kind of shame by digging their hands in shameful activities.” Peace returned after that meeting.
It is amazing that at 80, he is still writing profusely. Two days before his birthday bash, the author of Echoes of Liberation unveiled his newest book, entitled: Footprints of a Selfless Servant: The Autobiography of Comrade Oyekan Arije, a 400 plus page book, which was reviewed by a fellow activist, Comrade Femi Aborisade.
The book is rich in repertoire of information about the man, Arije, his Ilaje people and community, among others. Curiously, Arije, also a pastor, ages gracefully as he still walks uprightly (no walking stick!); his voice is as sharp as ever; his body smooth and his wit intact. On top of these, he walks uprightly with his Maker– all to the glory of God.
We celebrate Baba Arije today. We know him as one of the forthright leaders and highly regaled Statesmen of our time. But do you know what he suffered? Persecution, rejection, discrimination, intimidation, abuse and the like.Ajose Kudenhinbu, former Head of Service, Ondo State, gives a clue to this: “It was promotion time in the Ministry of Finance, and for ’stubbornness’, Pastor Arije had to contend with a’D’ grading by his superior who had risen to become the Head of Service at the time”.
With perseverance, hard work and Godliness, he has lived up to the challenges, bringing up his charisma and high principles to bear on policy decisions and management of unions and whatever position he finds himself.
We give eighty hearty cheers for Baba, an avatar of truth and justice and a prince from Akinehin Dynasty (Mahin Kindom) in Ilaje Nation. Ogbori-kodo, Ogborikodo Ilaje!
